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Rumor Mill

Welcome to the Rumor Mill for the January Transfer Window. Rumors, bids, targets, analysis, and transfers for the Philadelphia Union — you will find them all right here.

It is our hope that this working post will serve as a continual point of reference for all our readers and especially the Philadelphia Union fanbase. Updates to this post will be made as rumors, official bids and transfers arise.

Contributions to the Rumor Mill come from both Philly Football Daily reporters as well as an aggregate of scoops from a range of other trusted sources.

Here’s the latest brewing in the Rumor Mill:

Dec. 29, 2017

On Friday, a report surfaced out of Poland, which mentions a bid by the Philadelphia Union for Zaglebie Lubin defender Jaroslaw Jach.

Lubin currently sits fifth in the Ekstraklasa, the Polish first division. Jach is a 23-year-old, 6’4″ defender who currently has two caps for the Polish national team. The towering left-footed center-half has started 17 of Lubin’s 21 matches this season.

Transfermarkt, a German-based website that compiles footballing information, such as transfer news, match results and statistics, and market values, currently values Jach at €1m or roughly $1.2 million. Jach’s release clause is believed to be priced around €2m ($2.4 million).

According to the same report, Jach is also being monitored by clubs in the top two tiers of Germany as well as Italian side Genoa. In the past, Jach has received interest from several large clubs including Borussia Dortmund (GER) and Lazio (ITA).

Rumor Rater — 1

Jan. 5, 2018

It appears this rumor hasn’t even made it into the new year.

This morning, Joe Tansey, co-host of Union Soccer Talk, passed along a new report out of Poland that specifically mentioned offers for Jach from Germany, England, and Italy. Nowhere in the report did it mention Major League Soccer or the Philadelphia Union.

Offers for the Polish youngster are coming from sides in the 2. Bundesliga, Serie A, and Premier League. Consider this one as good as dead, folks. But, nevertheless:

Looking to get your hopes up? Want to know who that mystery player was, kicking around at yesterday’s training session? Then you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to the Rumor Mill.

Welcome to the Rumor Mill, your daily source for Philadelphia Union player news, movement and transfer speculation during Major League Soccer’s Secondary Summer Transfer Window, which officially opened on July 10 and is set to close on Aug. 9.

Yeah, we know we’re waaaay behind on this one. Fortunately for us, there hasn’t been much player news. Or movement. Or even speculation, for that matter.

Lo siento, Elías

According to Union manager, Jim Curtin, Costa Rican international and recent trainee, Elías Aguilar, was “not a fit” for the club, and he has since returned to his current club side, Club Sport Herediano.

It’s safe to say we can chalk that one up as UnionFanTV, 0, Philadelphia Union Front Office, 1. Imagine if the White House was able to stop leaks as efficiently as the Union top brass. Incredible!

But there’s been no word on the young Haitian’s supposed move to the Union since then. It’s beginning to sound like one big Nothing Burger, if you ask us.

Dónde es Juarez?

Not in Philadelphia.

Little was known about 18-year-old Costa Rican midfielder, Eduardo Juarez, who joined the Union on trial earlier in July. Juarez, a Costa Rican youth international, was reportedly on a 10-day trial with the Philadelphia Union. But that was according to Costa Rican media, the same outlets who claimed Elías Aguilar had agreed terms with the Union.

Νίκο Μαρτίνες in Φιλαδέλφια?!

According to Vasilis Tempelis, a contributor for Greek sports’ news site, Sport24, Argentinian midfielder, Nicolas “Nico” Martinez is rumored to be the subject of a loan deal between Greek Super Club, Olympiakos, and the Union.

Martinez, 29, last suited up for Western Sydney Wanderers on loan from Olympiakos last season. During his time with the Australian outfit, Martinez notched four goals and eight assists across 26 matches played.

Per a Wanderers’ fan from West Sydney Football, Martinez was primarily played as a right winger, during his time in Australia. Although, the Argentinian is more than capable of playing the No. 10. Just ask Nico himself.

Here are some of Nico’s highlights from his time with Wanderers.

It appears that Martinez is not part of Olympiakos’ plans moving forward, as the Argentinian did not feature for the Kokkinoi in their midweek UEFA Champion’s League clash versus Partizan Belgrade.

Martinez has yet to feature for the Greek side, since he first signed back in 2015. He currently as one year left on his contract.

From the surface, it seems like a classic MoneyBall signing for Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart. And when asked today about the possibility of a deal on the table, Union manager Jim Curtin had this to say (or rather nothing to say) about Nico:

“It’s a player we are familiar with, a player that, we are always looking to upgrade our roster … but at this time he [Nicolas Martinez] is still Olympiakos’ property, so to talk about him one way or another is not something we are going to do.”

Folks, the Union might very well be on the verge of their first (and only) signing in this Summer window. Stay tuned for more on Nicolas Martinez.

Aug. 7

Nico Martinez will not be signing with the Philadelphia Union, after all

According to Sport24, the Greek outlet who first broke the news that Martinez was close to a deal with the Union, has informed today that the Argentinian will not be making a loan move to Philadelphia, or any move, for that matter.

Martinez is said to have passed his medical tests with the club, but the Union reportedly changed the terms of the deal already in place. If true, it is not a very good look for the Union. Costa Rican club, CS Herediano made a similar claim that the Union stirred the pot in the Elías Aguilar transfer.

Again, it appears on the surface that the Union simply wanted a loan, while Olympiakos wanted Martinez off their book completely.

Aug. 9 — Deadline Day

Curtin said in his Weekly Presser today that “something still could happen.” Sporting Director, Earnie Stewart mirrored the Union boss, saying “there might be business done,” but added that “it might not be much.”

Curtin says there has been no internal discussion involving bringing Sebastien LeToux back to Philadelphia.

He [Seba] is a DC United player. That’s not something we have discussed.

He assures that, as always, the Front Office will be working up until the deadline.

Major League Soccer’s Summer Secondary Window will close later tonight, at 11:59 PM ET.

Note: Updates to the Rumor Mill will be posted as soon as bona-fide rumors, dealings and offers on the table reveal themselves. Until then, as Union goalkeeper, John McCarthy would say, “keep the dream alive.” Keep dreaming.